FLC '26
Guest Panel
We are excited for what God has planned for this year's Family Life Conference. Get ready for an electrifying sneak peek and introduction to the amazing speakers who will be joining us for this event below!
PASTORS JEFF & ELLEN ABIERA
Pastor Jeff and Ellen Abiera have dedicated their lives and marriage to serving the body of Christ throughout the Chicagoland area, bringing a unique blend of pastoral leadership, creative arts, and holistic care to their ministry.
Jeff has spent 18 years in gospel ministry as a pastor, chaplain, and non-profit director, previously serving a global network of over 100 churches. He currently serves as the Interim Pastor at Hebron Presbyterian Church. A spoken word poet and retired competitive hip-hop dancer and instructor of over 20 years, Jeff loves utilizing the arts to communicate the timeless truths of Scripture.
Ellen is a dedicated speaker and the Retreat Director for The Honor Summit, an organization committed to the spiritual flourishing of Asian American women. She has years of diverse experience across Children's, Youth, and Women’s ministries. Additionally, as a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP-BC) with over a decade of clinical experience, Ellen approaches ministry holistically, honoring the connection between mind, body, and spirit.
Jeff and Ellen live in the Chicago area, where their greatest joy is raising their two children, Aliyah (8) and Jeremiah (6).
DR.TONYA CUNNINGHAM
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Dr. Tonya Cunningham is a grief counselor, ordained minister, and transitional life coach who merges clinical expertise with spiritual insight to bring healing to the whole person—mind, body, and spirit. With a heart deeply rooted in faith and a mind grounded in trauma informed care, she specializes in grief recovery, emotional wellness, and inner healing and deliverance. She has become a trusted voice of hope and healing for those navigating loss, transition, and inner pain.
She is the founder of Let’s Talk Healing, Inc and Dr. Tonya Enterprises, LLC, entities that provide coaching, counseling, and consulting in the areas of grief, mental health, and wellness, empowering people to confront pain, break strongholds, and heal holistically.
Dr. Tonya is a trendsetter and truthsayer with a message that’s changing the way we handle grief, hurt and loss of any kind. With over three decades of experience in ministry, grief support, and the death care profession, Dr. Tonya brings both depth and compassion to every space she serves.
She is highly esteemed as a leading expert in the grief and death care industry and is a sought after speaker for her ability to educate, inspire, and transform. She skillfully weaves together her education, lived experience, contagious enthusiasm, humor, and even the art of dance to deliver dynamic services—including seminars, workshops, and trainings that resonate deeply with diverse audiences. Whether working with individuals, families, congregations, or corporate teams, Dr. Tonya creates safe, sacred spaces for healing. Helping people process hidden grief, overcome soul wounds, and walk in emotional and spiritual freedom.
Dr. Tonya is the mother of her baby girl, Chelsea, who died after living 2 hours and 12 minutes, adopted son, D’Anthony and the proud Dog Mom of her two fur babies, Westies: Mister Cunningham and Bentley Sebastian Cunningham.
PASTORS MICHAEL & LISA JACOB
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Michael and Lisa Jacob have over 20 years of experience in inner-city, outreach, and discipleship ministries. A bulk of their ministry training was done at the LA Dream Center where they served for nearly 10 years. They are Ordained Ministers through the Assemblies of God and are currently AG US Missionary Candidates in South Bend, Indiana where they minister to challenging and neglected communities in efforts to heal wounds, lower crime rates, and ultimately play a part in restoring those who are lost and hurting to Christ.
Their mission is to expand the Kingdom of God by making disciples of Christ who make disciples of Christ.
"Our Mission is to expand the Kingdom of God by making disciples of Christ who make disciples of Christ. We do this through Community Engagement in targeted neighborhoods with higher crime rates. Utilizing prayer walks, we meet people, build relationships, and assess needs to create a strategic plan for ministry in that community." - Mike and Lisa Jacob
PASTOR JEFF & ELLEN ABIERA
Pastor Jeff and Ellen Abiera have dedicated their lives and marriage to serving the body of Christ throughout the Chicagoland area, bringing a unique blend of pastoral leadership, creative arts, and holistic care to their ministry.
Jeff has spent 18 years in gospel ministry as a pastor, chaplain, and non-profit director, previously serving a global network of over 100 churches. He currently serves as the Interim Pastor at Hebron Presbyterian Church. A spoken word poet and retired competitive hip-hop dancer and instructor of over 20 years, Jeff loves utilizing the arts to communicate the timeless truths of Scripture.
Ellen is a dedicated speaker and the Retreat Director for The Honor Summit, an organization committed to the spiritual flourishing of Asian American women. She has years of diverse experience across Children's, Youth, and Women’s ministries. Additionally, as a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP-BC) with over a decade of clinical experience, Ellen approaches ministry holistically, honoring the connection between mind, body, and spirit.
Jeff and Ellen live in the Chicago area, where their greatest joy is raising their two children, Aliyah (8) and Jeremiah (6).
​We are excited for what God has planned for this year's Family Life Conference. Get ready for an electrifying sneak peek and introduction to the amazing speakers who will be joining us for this event below!
Pastor Jon Jones is the founder and director of Atmosphere of Heaven (AOH), a Chicago-based contemporary worship arts ministry and music collective. He serves as a worship pastor in the Chicagoland area and leads the ensemble in releasing live gospel and praise albums. He and his wife, Pastor Rachel Jones of almost 20 years and 7 beautiful children lead a homeschooling learning village for many families in the south suburbs of Chicago. All together the family leads worship for our annual Family conference.
PASTORS JON & RACHEL JONES
PASTORS WES & NEESHA STRINGFELLOW
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.Pastors Wes & Neesha Stringfellow lead HeartLife Ministries, a faith-based outreach nonprofit headquartered in Frankfort, Illinois, with a global impact. HeartLife Ministries is an outreach ministry founded over 25 years ago.
HeartLife Ministries is the parent organization for several ministry branches, including:
- HLM 180 Recovery — a nurturing, faith-centered recovery program for individuals facing substance use and mental health challenges, offering guidance, resources, and ongoing support toward healing and wholeness.
- Marriage Ministry — counseling, enrichment, and support for couples at all stages of marriage.
- Men’s Ministry — faith formation and fellowship tailored to men’s spiritual growth and accountability.
- Recovery Support Services — practical and clinical referrals, peer support, and holistic care addressing physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.
- Church Leadership Enrichment, Coaching, and Certification — training and credentialing to strengthen ministry leaders and churches.
Our mission is to be a beacon of hope and compassion: to connect people with appropriate resources and interventions, empower them to rebuild lives and relationships on a foundation of faith and resilience, and accompany them throughout their recovery and growth. Grounded in respect, dignity, and empathy, we partner with churches and outreach organizations that foster an inclusive, supportive environment where individuals can confront challenges, rediscover purpose, and pursue lasting fulfillment.
Located in Frankfort, Illinois, HeartLife Ministries serves local communities while extending support and influence worldwide.
DR. STEPHANIE OLIVER
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Dr. Stephanie Oliver is committed to serving the body of Christ through dynamic teaching, prophetic insight, Godly wisdom, and practical outreach. She currently serves as Sr. Associate Pastor for Life Church and the Nashville Dream Center where she leads their counseling ministry through a team of seven IBCC Certified Mental Health Coaches. She ministers to people across the nation through speaking, writing, and her private coaching practice. She is the founder of Marcus Oliver Foundation, which is committed to helping families and individuals navigate grief, life transition, and difficult changes with hope.
Her passion is helping others experience the healing power of God and fulfill their God given purpose on this side of heaven. In her downtime, she particularly enjoys drinking Matcha green tea lattes, cooking for her family, reading, music, hiking, and challenging her daughter on the pickleball court.